Warm Up

Warm-Up: Students will answer the following questions to the best of their abilities. The film is included to put students in a postitve, but realistic and introspective mood when thinking about where their school is headed. The overwhelming story of Ballou's success stories is overcoming adversity. This film shows it.

1. What does the "Old Ballou" mean to you?

2. What does the "New Ballou" mean to you?

Ballou, A Documentary Film

To be played as students enter the classroom. This is a lengthy documentary and should not be shown in its entirety unless time allows.

DeBonis, "Behold the New Ballou High"

Practice

Guided Practice: For this portion, we want to look at the academic attitudes as we get ready to move into the New Ballou.

Before you watch: The New Ballou: Academics at Ballou High School

13. What type of document is this?Who might the audience be?

14. Who filmed this?When?Where?Why?

After you Watch:

15. How many of the people featured in the video still work at or attend Ballou? (Names?)

16. What problems with academics at Ballou are identified? (What inhibits academic success?)

17. What strategies for fixing the problems with academics at Ballou are discussed?

18. Are we on our way to meeting the goals presented by the video?(Go Knights)

The New Ballou: Academics at Ballou Senior High School

Creator: The George Washington University: School of Media and Public Affairs
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNwDMvTxAo0
Date: 2011

Interview with Principal Branch: Students will interview the current principal of Ballou Senito High School. They have prepared questions in a pervious lesson.

19. My two best questions:

Independent Practice: Building the New Ballou is not without controversy. Just like the Old Ballou, there were politics, finances, and a world of discussion before it could be built. You will analyze this last article to get a better idea of one such controversy.

Before you Read: Lydia DePillis, “Barry Unsuccessful in Ousting White Architects for Ballou High,” Washington City Paper, March 12, 2012.

20. What type of document is this?Who might the audience be?

21. What are any distinguishing physical marks on the document? (For example, handwritten, typed, stamp, etc.)

22. Who wrote this?When?Where?

After you Read:

23. What was Councilmember Barry’s reason for opposing construction of the New Ballou?

24. Do you think Councilmember Barry’s concerns were legitimate?Why or why not?